Dave Aranda
The Wisconsin Badgers were hoping to keep their defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda around for a while. They found out on Friday that wouldn’t be the case.
Aranda has quickly become a star in the industry and LSU swooped in with an offer he couldn’t refuse. Aranda will move into the same position at LSU, for more money.
Aranda’s salary at Wisconsin is $520,000 with a $300,000 base salary. According to USA Today, that ranks 64th nationally and 12th among Big Ten assistants.
Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez was in the process of trying to secure more money for Paul Chryst’s assistant coaching staff, but it Aranda left anyway. There was plenty of discussion as the Badgers were preparing for the Holiday Bowl that Aranda was receiving interest from other schools.
Over the last three seasons, Aranda’s Badger defense has allowed just 16.9 points a game, behind only Alabama at 15.7 over that time span.
Now Aranda will be coaching at LSU, against the Badgers, when the two teams meet in the season opener at Lambeau Field in Green Bay next season.
Gillens leaving Madison
The Badgers are also losing redshirt freshman D.J. Gillens. He’s decided to leave the program after making the move from quarterback to wide receiver earlier this season.
Gillens is hoping to find a new home, one that will give him a chance to play quarterback again.